The Hertz Foundation, a distinguished nonprofit organization devoted to nurturing American excellence in science and technology, has unveiled its 54 finalists for the prestigious 2026 Hertz Fellowships. The fellowship targets visionary doctoral candidates in applied sciences, mathematics, and engineering, recognized for their exceptional intellect and commitment to transformative research. This highly competitive program attracts over 1,450 applications yearly, with finalists now advancing to an intense final interview stage where their innovative concepts and academic rigor will be critically evaluated.
Established in 1963, the Hertz Foundation has upheld a legacy of fostering independent scientific inquiry by awarding fellowships that provide five years of uninterrupted support. This financial backing distinguishes the Hertz Fellowship from traditional graduate funding models by granting recipients the freedom to push intellectual boundaries without being constrained by conventional academic timelines or research restrictions. Such flexibility is pivotal in enabling fellows to focus on pioneering challenges that hold great promise to significantly impact national and global technological landscapes.
The fellowship embodies more than just funding; it cultivates a dynamic, multigenerational intellectual community of scholars who serve as collaborators, mentors, and catalysts for innovation across disciplines. This network connects emerging scientists and engineers with luminaries such as Nobel laureates and leaders in national laboratories and industry. Through ongoing engagement initiatives, formal mentorships, and interdisciplinary gatherings, Hertz Fellows develop robust professional ties that often lead to groundbreaking research partnerships, the commercialization of novel technologies, and the founding of high-impact startups.
Integral to the selection process is the committee of accomplished Hertz Fellows who assess candidates based not only on academic merit but also on their visionary potential to create enduring social and scientific transformations. Leading this effort are Philip Welkhoff, director of the Gates Foundation’s malaria program, and Anna Bershteyn, an associate professor at NYU specializing in population health. Their expertise ensures a rigorous evaluation of applicants aspiring to solve today’s most urgent scientific challenges through original research and engineering innovation.
Recent years have seen the foundation strategically partner with prestigious institutions and organizations to enrich the fellowship experience. Collaborations with entities like the Gates Foundation, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Analog Devices, and Breakthrough Energy broaden access to resources and interdisciplinary collaboration. Notably, newly established partnerships with Case Western Reserve University and Texas A&M University extend full financial benefits to fellowship finalists who pursue graduate studies at these institutions, reflecting the foundation’s commitment to support talent regardless of final fellow selection.
The impact of the Hertz Fellowship community is exemplified by its illustrious alumni roster, which includes John Mather, Nobel laureate and NASA astrophysicist who significantly contributed to the James Webb Space Telescope, and Kimberly Budil, director of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Other notable fellows include Nathan Myhrvold, founder of Intellectual Ventures and a pioneering figure in applied research and innovation; Kathleen Fisher, a former deputy director at DARPA’s Information Innovation Office; as well as Dario Amodei and Jared Kaplan, co-founders of Anthropic, a prominent AI safety research firm. These leaders underscore the fellowship’s role in catalyzing careers devoted to breakthroughs in science and technology.
Over six decades, the Hertz Foundation has awarded fellowships to more than 1,300 individuals whose achievements span multiple disciplines and have garnered significant accolades, including multiple Nobel Prizes, Breakthrough Prizes, MacArthur “genius” awards, the Turing Award, and Fields Medal. Additionally, Hertz Fellows are recognized as influential members of the National Academies and are prolific inventors holding over 3,000 patents. They have launched upwards of 375 technology companies, generating substantial employment opportunities in science and engineering sectors nationally.
The 2026 cohort of finalists reflects a diverse array of academic backgrounds and research specialties—from machine learning, bioengineering, and quantum science to applied physics, computational cognitive science, and biomedical engineering. These candidates hail from leading universities such as MIT, Stanford, Harvard, University of California campuses, Princeton, and international institutions including the University of Cambridge and the University of Toronto. Their scientific pursuits tackle complex problems ranging from quantum computing to cancer biology, advancing the frontiers of knowledge.
Applicants like Aneetej Arora from Ohio State University, focusing on machine learning, and Mason Bates from MIT specializing in quantum science and engineering, exemplify the cutting edge of interdisciplinary research. Others, like Elizabeth Chung at UCSF specializing in neuroimmunology, and Jaron Shoemaker at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute studying biomedical engineering, illustrate the foundation’s commitment to supporting work across the scientific spectrum. This range highlights the fellowship’s role in fostering innovation across foundational sciences and emerging technologies alike.
The selection of finalists each year follows a meticulous review process emphasizing not only past academic excellence but also the aspirational potential of candidates to drive paradigm shifts in their fields. This ethos encourages investigators who think boldly and seek to develop technological solutions that address societal needs ranging from sustainable energy to health care innovations, underscoring the foundation’s mission to support work that profoundly matters.
The Hertz Fellowship’s enduring influence resonates beyond academic achievements, serving as a catalyst for emerging leaders who redefine scientific frontiers. By empowering young researchers with freedom and community support, the foundation nurtures the next generation of trailblazers poised to tackle complex global challenges through ingenuity and relentless pursuit of knowledge. The forthcoming announcement of the 2026 Fellows will undoubtedly spotlight breakthrough talents poised to leave a lasting legacy.
As the finalists prepare for their final interviews, the broader scientific community eagerly anticipates the new class of Hertz Fellows who will join a storied lineage of innovators. The foundation’s continuous investment in intellectual leadership fuels the advancement of technologies critical for America’s competitiveness and global scientific leadership, ensuring that its fellowship initiative remains a gold standard in doctoral support and scientific mentorship.
In summary, the 2026 Hertz Fellowship finalists represent the pinnacle of scientific promise and academic excellence in applied science, mathematics, and engineering. Their fields of study encompass transformative areas such as quantum computing, neuroimmunology, advanced materials science, and artificial intelligence. As they progress through the final stages of selection, these scholars exemplify the drive and vision essential for propelling scientific discovery and technological innovation into the future.
Subject of Research: Applied sciences, mathematics, and engineering doctoral research aimed at transformative societal and technological impact.
Article Title: Hertz Foundation Announces 54 Finalists for the 2026 Fellowship, Highlighting America’s Brightest Minds in Science and Engineering
News Publication Date: February 2024
Web References:
https://www.hertzfoundation.org/hertz-fellowship/
https://www.hertzfoundation.org/people/derek-haseltine/
https://www.hertzfoundation.org/partner/
https://www.hertzfoundation.org/person/john-mather/
